The city will postpone a decision on whether to sell off three lots in the downtown area and Porter Creek.

Last Monday evening, council voted to wait until its April 22 meeting for second reading to come forward on its land disposition bylaws for 706 and 708 Ogilvie St. and 67 Wann Rd.

Council had initially planned for second reading to happen on March 24 after having deferred the matter to allow time for public meetings on the land sales.

The proposal for 706 and 708 Ogilvie St. – which would be sold together – raised the ire of a number of residents when it was brought forward.

The properties were among many that fell under a 1970s initiative aimed at moving residents away from the escarpment area.

While there was never a full expropriation of residential land, many downtown residents near the escarpment at that time sold their property to the city. They did so after having been led to believe the land would eventually be expropriated due to concerns around the clay cliffs' stability.

Later research has determined certain areas such as 706 and 708 Ogilvie St. are safe for some development.

A number of nearby residents, however, have argued that given its history, the land should be kept as a public space and developed into a park or for some other public use.

The sale of the Wann Road property in Porter Creek has drawn little public interest.

With a public meeting proposed for the downtown properties, though, council opted to include the sale of the Porter Creek property in the public discussions as well.

A public meeting wasn't able to be booked until April 1, a week after second reading was expected March 24.

Thus, staff brought forward the recommendation that it be put off until April 22.

Meetings are set for April 1 from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Frank Slim Building in Shipyards Park to discuss the Ogilvie Street properties, with a Porter Creek meeting slated for the same time the following night (April 2) at Jack Hulland Elementary School to discuss the Wann Road property.

A report will come to council at its April 14 meeting, followed by the vote on April 22.

If the land disposition bylaws are approved, minimum upset prices for the properties were set at $395,000 for the 873 square metres which make up the two Ogilvie Street lots and $230,000 for the 2,489 square metre site on Wann Road, with the land to go to the highest bidder.